Cybersecurity

Don’t Get “Fattened Up”: How to Spot and Stop a Pig Butchering Scam If you’re active on social media, dating apps, or even in your text messages, you should know about a sophisticated and devastating scam on the rise. It’s called “pig butchering,” and as New York Attorney General Letitia James recently warned, it’s a serious threat targeting people across the state and the country. The name is grim but accurate: scammers “fatten up” their victims with trust and affection over weeks or months, only to “butcher” them for their life savings. Understanding how it works is your first line of defense. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted an important webinar to spotlight the latest methods scammers are using to part people from their money. These events are a key part of the agency’s mission, offering timely insights directly from the frontline of fraud prevention. While specific details of the latest webinar are often summarized by reporting organizations like ACA International, the overarching message is consistent: scammers are endlessly inventive, but knowing their current playbook is your best defense. ...

Don’t Be a “Fat Pig”: How to Spot and Stop Pig Butchering Scams A practical guide to recognizing—and escaping—this cruel, long-con investment fraud. Introduction You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message from a stranger on social media, a dating app, or even SMS. The conversation flows naturally, a connection forms over weeks, and trust builds. Then, they mention an incredible investment opportunity. This is the start of a “pig butchering” scam, a brutally effective fraud named for the practice of fattening a pig before slaughter. The scammer “fattens” your trust before financially butchering you. ...

Staying Ahead of Scammers: Key Trends from the FTC’s Latest Briefing Every day, we’re inundated with texts, emails, and calls. Most are legitimate, but some are carefully crafted traps. Keeping up with how these traps are being set is the first step to avoiding them. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the most current and pressing scam trends. The insights are a crucial update for anyone who uses a phone, email, or the internet—which is to say, all of us. ...

What Are Pig Butchering Scams, and How Can You Avoid Them? You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message on social media or a dating app. The conversation flows easily, trust builds over weeks or even months, and eventually, your new “friend” shares an incredible investment opportunity. This slow-burn con is known as a “pig butchering” scam, and authorities are sounding the alarm. New York Attorney General Letitia James recently issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this sophisticated fraud. Understanding its mechanics is your first line of defense. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Today’s Top Scams Every day, scams get a little more sophisticated. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a webinar highlighting the latest trends, and the message is clear: scammers are refining their tactics, but you can still defend yourself. By understanding how these schemes work now, you can protect your money and your identity more effectively. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Keeping up with the tactics of scammers can feel like a full-time job. Just as you learn to spot one scheme, another evolves to take its place. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted webinars to shed light on the most pressing fraud trends affecting consumers right now. The goal wasn’t just to warn but to equip people with practical knowledge. Here’s a breakdown of what they highlighted and the steps you can take to protect yourself. ...

How to Recognize and Resist Phishing Scams You’ve probably heard the term “phishing” before. It’s that sneaky feeling when an email from your “bank” asks you to click a link to verify your account, or when a text message about a missed package delivery seems just a bit off. At its core, phishing is a type of online scam where criminals pretend to be a trusted person or organization to trick you into giving up sensitive information—like passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security details—or into installing malicious software on your device. ...

How to Recognize and Stop a “Pig Butchering” Scam Before You Lose Money You meet someone new online. The conversation starts casually, but they’re engaging, attentive, and seem genuinely interested in you. Over weeks or even months, a bond forms. Then, one day, they mention a fantastic investment opportunity—a way to build a future together. If this story sounds familiar, you might be facing one of the most insidious online frauds today: the “Pig Butchering” scam. ...

Don’t Get Hooked: A Simple Guide to Phishing Every day, millions of people open an email or a message that seems perfectly normal—only to find out later it was a trap. This digital deception has a name: phishing. It remains one of the most common and damaging online threats, not just for tech experts but for anyone with an email address or smartphone. ...